Error 403: Causes and Solutions
403 Forbidden error means the server has denied access to a page or directory. Unlike a 404, which indicates a page not found, a 403 indicates access denied, but the resource exists. In this article, we'll look at the main causes and methods for resolving 403 errors on your website.
What does error 403 mean?
When a web server receives a request and understands it but refuses to fulfill it, it returns the 403 . This can occur due to permission settings, restrictions in .htaccess , a missing index file, or additional server-side restrictions.
The main causes of the 403 error
1. Incorrect access rights
Files and folders with incorrect permissions are not readable by the web server and cause a 403 error.
- Folders:
755 - Files:
644
Solution: in ispmanager, open File Manager , select the desired file or folder → Attributes and set the correct values.
2. Error in .htaccess
.htaccess directives can block access. For example, lines like "deny from all" or "no index" can cause an error.
Solution: Temporarily rename the .htaccess and test the site. If the error disappears, the file's contents are the cause. Check the rules or recreate the file.
3. Missing index file
If the directory does not contain an index.html or index.php , the server cannot display the content and returns 403.
Solution: Make sure that one of the following files is present in the root of the site: index.php , index.html , index.htm .
Viewing error logs
To accurately diagnose the error, open the web server log.
- In ispmanager, go to WWW Request Logs
- Open the
example.kz.error.log - Click View last lines of log file
- Old versions of logs are available in the Archive
When to contact support
If the 403 error appeared suddenly or you can't determine the cause yourself, please contact Unihost.kz support. We'll help you resolve the error and restore access to your website.
Conclusion
Error 403 may be caused by incorrect access rights, .htaccess , or a missing index file. Follow the step-by-step instructions to diagnose and resolve the issue. If the problem persists, Unihost.kz support is always ready to help.